73 Song & Dance

RETH

The crowd of watchers went silent as Behryn grinned and bowed with a flourish, his voice raised so everyone near the market could hear. "Our brother has found his mate!"

Everyone cheered again.

Reth smiled past gritted teeth. Elia tried to smile, but she was still staring at him with a question.

"The brotherhood requests your presence, O Majesty, Sire of our Nation, the Highest Name in all the Land—"

"Yes, yes, Behryn. An audience is granted," he muttered.

There were titters and boos that he'd stopped Behryn making a show. But his friend wasn't finished.

"Thank you, O Mighty, King Gareth Orstas Hyrehyn, the seventh in the Royal Line to take and hold the throne. As today marks the beginning of your kinship and the great reign of your Queen Elia Thorpe, we ask for a gift that can come only from your hand!"